The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is touting the arrest of an illegal alien in New York who allegedly set fire to several cars, an arrest they say was made possible by the cooperation of local authorities with federal immigration enforcement. On May 10, the Nassau County Police, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Elder Lopez-Avalos, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who allegedly set fire to 10 cars, including in the vicinity of a daycare center. On May 12, Lopez-Avalos was taken into ICE custody. “Thanks to ICE and CBP law enforcement, this criminal illegal alien charged with arson was arrested by ICE on May 12,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement of the arrest. NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK: @ICEgov has ARRESTED Elder Lopez-Avalos, a criminal illegal alien ARSONIST from Guatemala.Lopez-Avalos set fire to 10 cars in Freeport — and several of the acts of arson took place in a parking lot near a children’s center.Thanks to cooperation with… pic.twitter.com/HVeSxESGCg— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 15, 2026  “This pyromaniac set fire to 11 cars and was a clear public safety threat. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will arrest you and deport you,” she added. Although DHS applauds Nassau County’s cooperation with ICE in the apprehension of Lopez-Avalos, they are harshly critical of some New York jurisdictions’ non-cooperation with ICE. “Unfortunately, many New York jurisdictions do NOT cooperate with ICE. As of December 1, New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 6,947 criminal illegal aliens since January 20,” the release states. Related PostsVirginia Prosecutor: ‘Sorry,’ but Immigration Law ‘Not Our Job’A controversial Virginia prosecutor apologized to the mother of a daughter slain by an illegal immigrant but still defended his county’s sanctuary policy during a contentious House hearing Thursday. “I am deeply sorry for your loss, I say that not only as a prosecutor but as a parent of a daughter,” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney…Iranian Pleads Guilty to Aiding Illegal Alien With Ties to TerrorismFIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Iranian national Sharon Gohari pleaded guilty on Tuesday to unlawfully smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States—including one with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—and intentionally receiving child pornography, The Daily Signal has learned. Gohari, a naturalized U.S. citizen who resided alternately in Iran and Nassau County, New York, asked…Congressman Wants to Ban Illegal Aliens From Banking System Amid Possible Trump EOFIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Citing concerns that access to financial services incentivizes illegal immigration and could aid terrorism, Rep. Keith Self, R‑Texas, introduced legislation Thursday that would bar illegal aliens from the U.S. banking system by requiring banks to collect customers’ citizenship or immigration status. “Access to America’s financial system is reserved for those who…